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ther purposes also。 And now the law of duty; in consequence of the positive worth which obedience to it makes us feel; finds easier access through the respect for ourselves in the consciousness of our freedom。 When this is well established; when a man dreads nothing more than to find himself; on self…examination; worthless and contemptible in his own eyes; then every good moral disposition can be grafted on it; because this is the best; nay; the only guard that can keep off from the mind the pressure of ignoble and corrupting motives。   I have only intended to point out the most general maxims of the methodology of moral cultivation and exercise。 As the manifold variety of duties requires special rules for each kind; and this would be a prolix affair; I shall be readily excused if in a work like this; which is only preliminary; I content myself with these outlines。                        CONCLUSION。

  Two things fill the mind with ever new and increasing admiration and awe; the oftener and the more steadily we reflect on them: the starry heavens above and the moral law within。 I have not to search for them and conjecture them as though they were veiled in darkness or were in the transcendent region beyond my horizon; I see them before me and connect them directly with the consciousness of my existence。 The former begins from the place I occupy in the external world of sense; and enlarges my connection therein to an unbounded extent with worlds upon worlds and systems of systems; and moreover into limitless times of their periodic motion; its beginning and continuance。 The second begins from my invisible self; my personality; and exhibits me in a world which has true infinity; but which is traceable only by the understanding; and with which I discern that I am not in a merely contingent but in a universal and necessary connection; as I am also thereby with all those visible worlds。 The former view of a countless multitude of worlds annihilates as it were my importance as an animal creature; which after it has been for a short time provided with vital power; one knows not how; must again give back the matter of which it was formed to the planet it inhabits (a mere speck in the universe)。 The second; on the contrary; infinitely elevates my worth as an intelligence by my personality; in which the moral law reveals to me a life independent of animality and even of the whole sensible world; at least so far as may be inferred from the destination assigned to my existence by this law; a destination not restricted to conditions and limits of this life; but reaching into the infinite。   But though admiration and respect may excite to inquiry; they cannot supply the want of it。 What; then; is to be done in order to enter on this in a useful manner and one adapted to the loftiness of the subject? Examples may serve in this as a warning and also for imitation。 The contemplation of the world began from the noblest spectacle that the human senses present to us; and that our understanding can bear to follow in their vast reach; and it ended… in astrology。 Morality began with the noblest attribute of human nature; the development and cultivation of which give a prospect of infinite utility; and ended… in fanaticism or superstition。 So it is with all crude attempts where the principal part of the business depends on the use of reason; a use which does not come of itself; like the use of the feet; by frequent exercise; especially when attributes are in question which cannot be directly exhibited in common experience。 But after the maxim had come into vogue; though late; to examine carefully beforehand all the steps that reason purposes to take; and not to let it proceed otherwise than in the track of a previously well considered method; then the study of the structure of the universe took quite a different direction; and thereby attained an incomparably happier result。 The fall of a stone; the motion of a sling; resolved into their elements and the forces that are manifested in them; and treated mathematically; produced at last that clear and henceforward unchangeable insight into the system of the world which; as observation is continued; may hope always to extend itself; but need never fear to be compelled to retreat。   This example may suggest to us to enter on the same path in treating of the moral capacities of our nature; and may give us hope of a like good result。 We have at hand the instances of the moral judgement of reason。 By analysing these into their elementary conceptions; and in default of mathematics adopting a process similar to that of chemistry; the separation of the empirical from the rational elements that may be found in them; by repeated experiments on common sense; we may exhibit both pure; and learn with certainty what each part can accomplish of itself; so as to prevent on the one hand the errors of a still crude untrained judgement; and on the other hand (what is far more necessary) the extravagances of genius; by which; as by the adepts of the philosopher's stone; without any methodical study or knowledge of nature; visionary treasures are promised and the true are thrown away。 In one word; science (critically undertaken and methodically directed) is the narrow gate that leads to the true doctrine of practical wisdom; if we understand by this not merely what one ought to do; but what ought to serve teachers as a guide to construct well and clearly the road to wisdom which everyone should travel; and to secure others from going astray。 Philosophy must always continue to be the guardian of this science; and although the public does not take any interest in its subtle investigations; it must take an interest in the resulting doctrines; which such an examination first puts in a clear light。


                              …THE END… 

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